Celtics Comeback To Upend Rockets In OT; 97-92

Fourth Quarter Comeback: Down 80-70 with 5:33 left, Celtics went on a 14-2 run — capped by a Ray Allen three-pointer with 33 ticks remaining in regulation to go ahead 84-82. It was the Celtics’ first lead in the fourth quarter — since 2:20 in the third quarter. Ray Allen (7) and Paul Pierce (5) combined for 12 of the Celtics’ 21 points in the fourth quarter — where they outscored Houston 21-16.

Overtime Duo: In the extra sessions, Paul Pierce (7) and Ray Allen (4) combined for 11 of the Celtics’ 13 points in the overtime period.

Defense Matters: The Green Team held Houston under 39 percent shooting from the field — and forced 14 misses from beyond the arc out of 19 attempts allowed. The Guys in Green only yielded 28 points in the paint and forced the Rockets into 18 turnovers.

Top Rankings: The Celtics rank 3rd in defense in points allowed per game (89.4) and in assists (22.8), which they had 26 dimes against the Rockets — with Rajon Rondo leading the team with 12 helpers.

Winning Streak: The Celtics (20-17) have won their last five contests and are one game back in the Atlantic Division to the Philadelphia 76ers (22-17), who they play tonight in Philly. Celtics are 7th in the Eastern Conference — and if the Playoffs started today — they would face the Miami Heat.

With the Celtics back on track with their winning ways, they have 29 games left in the regular season, including three against the Sixers (at Philly, March 23 and Easter Sunday April 8 vs. Philly), so confidently declare your allegiance for the Celtics with the State Farm Nation, now live on Facebook to root the Green Team on!

The “State of Fandom” allows you to have customized Facebook cover photos, have friends or foes with fans of the Celtics, or other teams in the NBA that you just love to hate.

You can also generate your NBA fan graph to see where your Facebook friends’ loyalties lie, and hopefully cheer them on as they continue their winning streak and extend it to six games tonight in Philadelphia against the 76ers.